Really impressed with venue. Paid extra for the luxury experience as a present for my wife. Warm greeting from staff and nice touch with welcome glass of bubbly. Great to be able to relax in comfortable seated area before gig, meal provided was good.
Arena layout very good and great view from seats, entrance/exit really good.
Great that experience allows you to go back into lounge at end of show to give time for crowd to disperse.
Now to the band, Chiefs were great again, really got crowd going and lighting/effects very good.
Would recommend paying extra for the experience.

The only thing Id criticise with the venue is the size/view/clarity of the screens when youre up in the gods just meant straining a bit.

Kaiser Chiefs(17/02/15) - Entertaining and Creative but ruined by support

Really took some getting into following the support act hence the good rating. They kind of set the mood for me and it wasnt a good one, I wasnt expecting anything overly special but words cannot describe how annoying & repetative they were with some weird computerised/monotone voice intended to replicate old fashioned radio/tv broadcasting, had they at least made the effort to involve the crowd personally by actual speaking themselves or attempting vocals themselves it would have been a little more bearable. I was actually at the point where I just wanted to walk out.
Once the Kaiser Chiefs came on it took me sometime for my ears to recover from the support act and my mood to lift.
With the Kaisers one or two performaces and involving crowds were almost identical to when I saw them at a festival last year which was a bit predictable from my point of view. The sound and lighting was really good and obviously the songs themselves were performed brilliantly as expected, I also liked the creativity towards the end with the mock backstage roasting.
The atmosphere when I predict a riot came on made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!

Great venue and love the ease of getting to seats and exit at the end. Just lacks a little in soul but worth it for the performers we get to see there.

Kaiser Chiefs(16/02/15) - Excellent gig!

Loved every minute of this gig from start to finish - amazing live performance and can not believe the energy Ricky puts into his performance. Fantastic concert from the very start to the rocking finish!

This truly is a world class arena but I think it does need some larger video screens at either side of the performance area, especially for the people in the tier 3 seating who can struggle to see the video feed from the cameras because of poor eyesight.

The Who(02/01/15) - Who can beat this performance at Leeds Arena?

A stunning concert from The Who at Leeds First Direct Arena. The sound was simply stunning as was the standard of performance. This arena is a truly world class venue which Leeds has needed for so very long, its a pleasure to visit it. The only complaint I have is that the video screens at either side of the stage are simply too small for such a huge venue. Come on Leeds City Council and Leeds Arena Management sort this out please and give the audience some larger video screens to watch which dont cause eye strain. You have a world class venue on your hands which is being spoilt by second class video screens, that seems a bit mad to me.

First visit to the arena, Staff friendly and welcoming, warm and cosy atmosphere, Comfortable seats. but were bit high up, not good for vertigo sufferers,. Food and Drink expensive, as were the il Divo Programmes at £15, but generally a great night out, just need bigger arena screens as the performers look so small to the naked eye..

Il Divo(10/12/14) - Excellent Service But Bigger Arena Screens Needed

Excellent Service from ordering the tickets online right through to all information re parking nearby etc, our only complaint would be that the arena screens were just too small which was a pity, ( I forgot to bring my Binoculars ! lol ).
Didnt get Emails / Info on Michael Buble though, as would have gone if Id have known.
Excellent Sevice, will use again, Many Thanks for a great expeience.

It took a while to get out of the car park, about 45 mins. However, when we realised they were clearing floor by floor it made it better. They probably should have had a person on each floor telling us of their plans when clearing the car park.

Bryan Adams(03/12/14) - Immense Concert

Bryan and his band were amazing. His voice is so much better in the flesh (as it were). He was so lovely too, interacting with the audience in a very understated but funny way. We loved it.

Good venue. Sadly there was a fight on the row behind us, which was well handled by security staff.

James Blunt(01/12/14) - Great show

James gave a great performance, although his use of bad language was not necessary and was commented upon by many at the event.
The Dunwells gave a good show and we would see them again.
Seats 17 and 18 on row F black 213 had bad visibility as the safety rails completely blocked the view of the artists. This seat should be flagged as restricted visibility.

It was my first visit to the Arena, it is a nice size and has a good atmosphere. I did not use the toilets and we went by train so did not use the car parks. The steward in our seating area was very good and attentive to our needs. Would definitely go again.

James Blunt(01/12/14) - Absolutely Superb

I really enjoyed the concert, the stage and lighting effects were superb.
James performed with so much energy and passion in his songs. He has a wonderful sense of humour. I loved every minute of it, it was great singing along and the entire audience were on their feet for the last few songs. He ran up the aisle and down the next one during the performance and he touched my hand has he ran past, which was magical for me. I love his songs and his voice is amazing. A very special evening.

The best concert Ive been to. Artist was amazing, venue was superb! Slash ROCKED!
All seats seemed to have a great view, Myles performed some of the new album tracks as well as some classics. Great value for money, cant wait to see them again!

First visit to the venue and very impressed with the artist, the seating/view and general acoustics. Only suggestion would be better marking of the seats as it seemed many were in the wrong seat, or could not find their seats.

James Blunt(01/12/14) - James Blunt in Leeds

Brilliant! What a fantastic entertainer, with a great voice, superb playing of the instruments and well backed by his team on stage. Lighting and effects made for a brilliant evenings entertainment.

The First Direct Arena is a good music venue, with easy parking, friendly and helpful staff. Unobstructed view and reasonable amount of legroom. Access by car is good with no queues in or out.

Bryan Adams(01/12/14) - Reckless Tour

I thought this concert would be pretty good - I was wrong - it was very, very good. Excellent tracks from a fantastic back catalogue, sound was spot on. Good use of lighting and video screens, very professional presentation. Bryan really good at connecting with the audience. This band rocks!!!!!

We had a fantastic time at the arena watching Bryan Adams last Tuesday he played several tracks from his restless album during the first half of the show and then proceeded to play all his hit records from his extensive back catalogue.
He had the audience cheering and singing along to most of his most popular tracks.
A great night for everyone.

This is a relatively new arena, and I have seen a few different bands there, and also sat in different areas. We have been able to see really well wherever we have been sat. The sound is excellent aswell .

Bryan Adams(01/12/14) - Awesome!!

This has to be one of the best concerts I have ever been to! The sound quality and the venue ( First Direct Arena in Leeds) was superb! Bryan was absolutely amazing, he never stopped, he completely rocked. However, the crowd were the most boring I have seen. My friend and I had to move seats as no one else wanted to stand. I know we had seats, but this was a ROCK concert, and I cant understand how anyone can remain sat down when he is rocking those songs out! Thankfully we were able to move, otherwise this wouldve completely spoiled our experience.
I cant wait to see him perform again, such talent!

A new modern venue purpose built for entertainment......having been to a concert in every arena in the country , Leeds is the best.....

Bryan Adams(01/12/14) - We are all in Heaven !

Bryan Adams and his excellent band provided the audience with a wonderful evenings worth of entertainment on his latest tour which celebrates the 30th Anniverssary of his classic album Reckless ....the album in its entirity opened the show and that was followed by a further hour of his greatest hits....Brilliant from start to finish......BA just gets better with age !!

This is a great venue with parking just 200 yards from the doors.Large food and drink facilities with ample staff and plentiful toilets.The acoustics are top class and the atmosphere can be electric with audience participation.

Bryan Adams(01/12/14) - Fantastic!!!

Bryan Adams and the band gave a performance to remember with songs from their Reckless album which had the audience on their feet clapping dancing and singing.It was a joy to be there I wish everything in life was such good value for money.Everyone went home very happy.Thanks for a great night.

The arena is really good. Accoustics great, view from wheelchair section clear plenty of room, staff really helpful and friendly. Heard quite a few comments asking why on earth it had been built in the city centre not on outskirts where from motorway etc maybe easier as Sheffield is. Leeds City Council need to get signage sorted out for both pedestrian and vehicles. We will go again. Cant comment on refreshments etc as we didnt use them or the wc

Bryan Adams(01/12/14) - Absolutely Fantastic

We have seen Bryan Adams at different venues this has to be one of the best. He came on stage at 8pm and we were treated to over two hours of hit after hit. First time at Leeds Arena and really impressed being a wheelchair user from arriving to leaving treatment was first class. We didnt have to que were taken straight to viewing position which is excellent no one in front to spoil the view, will definitely be going again

The staff were very helpful as I had my Dad with me in a wheelchair. Easy access straight into the lift and easy to get to our area to sit. My only gripe is that there were not many wheelchair parking spots nearby, managed to get the last one arriving 1 hr before it started. Also the pavement in that area was not lowered to get the wheelchair off.

Bryan Adams(01/12/14) - Hes still got it!

Fantastic, intimate concert. Bryan did not disappoint! Full of old classics and some new thrown in. Very impressed that he was on stage from 8pm through til 10.15pm ... even though the band had breaks, he did not.
Slick set up, really enjoyed it. Have seen him a number of times, this was as good as any of them years ago!

Selected fan reports for events at this venue first direct arena Leeds

We have seen Bryan Adams at different venues this has to be one of the best. He came on stage at 8pm and we were treated to over two hours of hit after hit. First time at Leeds Arena and really impressed being a wheelchair user from arriving to leaving treatment was first class. We didnt have to que were taken straight to viewing position which is excellent no one in front to spoil the view, will definitely be going again

Bryan Adams

25/11/14

Hes still got it!from BigJo, 01/12/14

Fantastic, intimate concert. Bryan did not disappoint! Full of old classics and some new thrown in. Very impressed that he was on stage from 8pm through til 10.15pm ... even though the band had breaks, he did not.
Slick set up, really enjoyed it. Have seen him a number of times, this was as good as any of them years ago!

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators

29/11/14

Fantasticfrom Lemmy, 01/12/14

Absolutely brilliant gig. Firstly, the Leeds First Direct Arena is an awesome venue tailor made as a music venue. Acoustics and viewing are superb. Secondly Slash and the band were unbelievable. After 40 years of watching live rock music I thought I had seen it all but Slash takes it to another level. Brilliant, 11 out of 10.

James Blunt

24/11/14

Outstanding!!from steviebgs, 01/12/14

Great performance and total engagement with the audience - a real night for his fans who went away very happy!

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators

29/11/14

Awesome yet again!from DaveKimBates, 01/12/14

One hell of a night at the Leeds Arena! Slash & Myles on stellar form once again! We cant wait for the next time we can see them! Standing tickets provided a brilliant setting but the whole arena had a great view too.
Highly recommended!!!!

James

23/11/14

James - AWESOME GIGfrom Rob Skipton, 01/12/14

James sounding as good as ever, sang some really good new stuff from La Petite Mort and some classic oldies.

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators

29/11/14

Sound quality was awfulfrom Dave Thorpe, 01/12/14

Good view of the stage, long varied high energy set with audience interaction, let down massively by one of the worst sound mixes Ive experienced in a long time. Not impressed on my first visit to the first direct arena. A shame

James Blunt

24/11/14

Phenomenal performancefrom Rachelford7422, 01/12/14

James blunt....... Absolutely amazing. Words can not describe what your concert meant for me and my mother. You blew me away. I can not wait for you to tour uk again. It cant come quick enough. I cant fault your concert in any way at all.
Big well done to the dunwells who were supporting you. Amazing up and coming band. Cant wait to hear them again either.

James Blunt

24/11/14

outstanding!from jamesforever, 01/12/14

where to start?the whole evening was fabulous from start to finish.superb seats seven rows from the front,centre block.james performance had us spellbound.he was witty,humourous,full of energy,captivating and all topped off with,in my opinion,the best voice in the music industry bar none.all in all a fantastic concert at a fantastic venue.please do leeds again next year james.

Bryan Adams

25/11/14

Fantastic!from Sarahottaway, 01/12/14

the concert and bryan Adams were absolutely amazing it isnt the first time I have been to see bryan Adams and it certainly wont be the last but he was just great!
The only criticism I have is there isnt enough room between seats and you dont have a lot of room to put your legs.
Also beyond peoples control but people were coming into the concert halfway through and at one point we had about 4 people stood I. Front of us blocking our view we couldnt even see the big screen for them.

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators

29/11/14

Great gig but...from Fletch87, 01/12/14

Brilliant night with all 3 bands... the only criticism Id say is with regards to Slashs lead channel.... it wasnt loud enough, you could barely hear his solos, it wasnt cutting through and over the rest of the band where necessary. Other than that - it was amazing.

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators

29/11/14

Great Gigfrom NeilDD, 01/12/14

This was a memorable gig and with the bones of two good support acts. This is the second time attending this venue and it is very well designed and laid out.

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators

29/11/14

Amazing performancefrom Faz, 01/12/14

Slash absolutely rocked the arena at Leeds we had an amazing time. Myles Kennedy and the conspirators where also amazing and interacted well with audience to get the house rocking more.

Bryan Adams

25/11/14

Top Notch Effortfrom Adam Hardwick, 01/12/14

Top effort from the never aging Bryan Adams - He got the crowd involved, played all the classics as well as the newly added songs from the fantastic Reckless album - kicking off strong and carried all the way through - enjoyed it - maybe one of the better gigs I have been to (Singing and General music wise) - Bryan Adams and Keith Scott on Song as usual - Already looking forward to his next tour!

Bryan Adams

25/11/14

To much disruptionfrom Terrier26, 01/12/14

We had a great night watching & listening to Bryan Adams but the night was spoilt with the continuing movement of people not only on our row but others when they kept going out for a drink, coming back with full glasses in the dark, spilling some of the drink on the steps, which we think could be dangerous, then minutes later deciding to go to the toilet. We dont object to drinkers but cant they do without for a couple of hours and consider other people who want to watch the show.

John Bishop

13/11/14

Fantastic eventfrom Karen & Kevin, 18/11/14

Had a great time . John Bishop was very good one man show. Havent had such a good laugh in ages.. Brilliant. The leeds First Direct was easy to get to and to find seats.

WWE Live

09/11/14

Wwe livefrom Crazylegsfox, 18/11/14

Great seats right next to where the wrestlers came out.atmosphere was unbelievable.really good venue.only down side was no randy orton!

John Bishop

13/11/14

LOVED IT !!from Lorraine MacNay, 17/11/14

Had good seats. John was relaxed, natural and tremendously funny.
An end to a really good evening that was for a special persons birthday.

WWE Live

09/11/14

Waste of time and moneyfrom Chris B, 17/11/14

This wasnt my first time seeing wrestling but it may be my last especially a house show as this show was. Lineup that was promised was nowhere near the standard on the night (99 of the top talent was sent to Nottingham event on the same night or saved for Liverpool taped show the following evening). There were are pyrotechnics at the disney on ice show. This venue is not set up for wrestling and this showed. Im awaiting contact from the venue regarding a refund but Ive heard nothing yet.

WWE Raw

09/11/14

Great Evening of Entertainmentfrom Claire Shakespeare, 17/11/14

The kids absolutely loved it, was a little disappointed that John Cena wasnt there but still enjoyed seeing some of there other favourites. I never imagined how great it would be and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.